Marble Cheese vs. Cheddar Cheese

Marble cheese and cheddar cheese are two popular varieties of cheese. While they share some similarities, there are also key differences between the two that you should understand.

Marble cheese is a mixture of two or more differently colored cheddar curds blended together to create a "marbled" appearance. The most common type is a blend of white and orange cheddar, though other color combinations are sometimes used.

Cheddar meanwhile refers to a specific variety of cheese originally from the village of Cheddar in England.

Texture and Appearance

The first difference between marble cheese and cheddar is in their texture and appearance.

Marble cheese has a marbled or mottled look from blending white and orange cheddars. The colors remain distinct rather than blending together completely. The texture is firm and smooth.

Cheddar has a consistent pale yellow to orange color depending on the variety. Mild cheddar is supple and smooth when young, while aged cheddar is drier and crumbly in texture.

So while marble cheese maintains a more consistent firm yet smooth texture, the range of textures among different cheddar varieties is much wider.

Taste and Flavor

There are also some notable differences when it comes to taste and flavor between these two cheese varieties.

Marble cheese tends to have a rich, creamy taste with a hint of tang. Since it combines the milky flavor of white cheddar with the sharper orange cheddar, it strikes a nice balance. The taste remains on the milder side.

Cheddar can have very diverse flavors ranging from mild to sharp depending on age. Young mild cheddar has a clean, buttery taste while aged cheddar is tangy and intensely flavored. Extra-mature vintage cheddars take on slightly nutty or fruity undertones.

So marble cheese offers a more consistent mellow flavor profile compared to the wide spectrum of cheddar tastes.

Uses in Cooking

When it comes to uses in cooking, both marble cheese and cheddar can work nicely in a variety of dishes. However, their differing characteristics make certain uses better suited to one over the other.

Marble cheese is fantastic for any recipe where you want the cheese to melt smoothly. With its blend of textures and mild flavor, it’s perfect in grilled cheese sandwiches, on burgers, pizza, pasta dishes, casseroles, soups and more.

Meanwhile, sharp aged cheddar adds a delightful flavor punch to dishes. Its firm, crumbly texture when grated makes it a tasty topping for salads, nachos, tacos, vegetables, and baked potatoes. Milder young cheddar works well too for any recipe needing a melty, gooey cheese like mac and cheese or cheese sauces.

So marble cheese wins for melting ability, while cheddar takes the crown for adding sharp flavor to recipes.

Nutrition

There are some small differences when comparing the nutrition facts of marble cheese and cheddar cheese:

Marble cheese tends to be slightly lower in fat and calories compared to cheddar. However, both remain high-fat, high-protein cheeses. Cheddar has higher calcium levels, but both offer a good source of this important mineral.

When choosing between them, your decision will come down more to taste preference rather than nutrition. Just be mindful of portion sizes since they are rich sources of fat and calories.

Price

Marble cheese and cheddar have similar price points at the grocery store. Of course, pricing can vary depending on factors like:

• Brand
• Age of cheese
• Whether it's pre-packaged, sliced, shredded etc
• Whether made from organic milk

You may find artisanal handmade cheddars run more expensive. Overall though, expect to pay comparable prices for either marble cheese or cheddar in an equivalent format and style.

Key Takeaway: Marble cheese and cheddar have minor differences in nutrition, but pricing is generally similar. Your choice comes down more to texture and flavor preferences.

FAQs

Is marble cheese real cheese?

Yes, marble cheese is a real natural cheese and not a cheese product. It's made by blending white and orange cheddar curds together.

What kind of cheese is marble cheese made from?

Marble cheese is made by blending white cheddar cheese and orange cheddar cheese curds together. Sometimes Colby and Monterey Jack curds are used instead of cheddar.

Is all cheddar cheese white?

No. Traditional cheddar cheese made in the Cheddar village of England is a pale yellow color. Orange cheddar gets its color from the animal feed which increases beta-carotene levels. White and orange cheddars have the same flavor.

Why is it called marble cheese?

It's called marble cheese because the mixture of white and orange cheddar curds blended together creates a marbled pattern, resembling a marble stone.

Can you substitute cheddar for marble cheese?

Yes, cheddar cheese makes a good substitute for recipes calling for marble cheese. Aged white cheddar offers the closest flavor match. But any cheddar variety can work as marble cheese doesn't have a very sharp taste.

Conclusion

While marble cheese and cheddar share the fact they’re both cow’s milk cheeses, they have notable differences when it comes to appearance, texture, uses, taste and more.

Marble cheese offers great melting properties paired with a mild, creamy flavor from blending white and orange cheddar curds.

Cheddar has a wider spectrum of tastes from buttery to sharp based on age and comes in a crumblier texture.